Bronze day for Russians in Whistler

On Monday Russia claimed two bronze medals in both the men’s and women’s cross-country team sprints at the Vancouver Olympics.

The Russian duo of Nikolay Morilov and Aleksey Petukhov finished only third, despite currently leading the world cup’s cross-country team sprint standings.

Everything went smoothly for them in the qualifying. They continued their World Cup form and impressively won their race.

But it was a bit of a different story in the final. Norwegian Petter Northug showed off his closing ability to give his country the gold. Northug, who was partnered with Oeystein Pettersen, blew past Germany's Axel Teichmann shortly before the finish, while strong sprinter Petukhov failed to maintain the Norwegian’s speed in the dying moments, which ultimately let the Germans win silver, leaving Russia with bronze.

In the women's event, it was the German team which crossed the finish line first, leaving behind Sweden stars Anna Haag and Charlotte Kalla, as well as the Russian team of Irina Khazova and Natalia Korosteleva.